What happened
During an instrument flight rules departure into instrument meteorological conditions, the aircraft began a left turn following its takeoff clearance. As the flight progressed, the aircraft reached an altitude of approximately 2,410 feet above the ground. At this stage, the rate of climb surged from 3,500 feet per minute to 9,600 feet per minute, accompanied by a significant drop in airspeed to roughly 75 knots. The stick shaker mechanism was activated during this period of rapid ascent.
Following this event, the aircraft transitioned into a descending right turn and rolled into an inverted position. The aircraft subsequently struck the terrain approximately one mile from the departure airport. An investigation of the wreckage at the impact site found all primary components of the aircraft, and no mechanical failures or anomalies were identified that would have prevented the aircraft from operating normally.
Findings
At the time of the accident, the weather was characterized by an overcast ceiling at roughly 600 feet above the ground. The evidence suggests that the pilot likely experienced spatial disorientation upon entering the cloud layer. This disorientation is believed to have caused the extreme rate of climb and the subsequent loss of airspeed, leading to an aerodynamic stall. The flight path, which included a steep descending turn and an inverted roll prior to the high-energy impact, is consistent with a loss of control resulting from such disorientation.